Freshman outside Ashley Ripplinger chipped in seven kills, five aces and 10 digs and setter Taylor Otoski went for 15 digs, 43 assists and three aces.

Katy Carter led North (9-5) in digs with 20.

The Black Tornado needed to rally after losing the second and third sets. Game 4 was back and forth.

"We took a lead on them in the beginning and then they climbed back in, and after that it was point for point the rest of the way," Wright said. "At the end of the third set I felt like we had some momentum going into the fourth set, and that helped us get that lead. But then they climbed back in and then we went point for point all the way through until we got them, 28-26."

Then came the decisive fifth, when the Grizzlies jumped out to a four-point lead before North responded. Emily Carter registered several successful serves and Ripplinger knocked over some key kills late to seal it.

For the Grizzlies (6-9), Jordan Tilley turned in six aces, 22 digs and 36 assists and Hope Baldrica four blocks and eight kills.

Ashley Reese finished with seven service aces for the Honkers (9-4, 4-1 SCH).

Illinois Valley dropped to 2-11, 0-6 in league.

Nonleague

CASCADE CHRISTIAN 3, LOST RIVER 0 — At Merrill, Karlee Britton had 12 kills on only 15 swings before sitting out the third set, leading Cascade Christian to a 25-9, 25-7, 25-18 nonleague win.

Madigan Smith had six kills and five aces, her twin Katelyn Smith also had six kills and setter Alyssa Brown tallied 21 assists in two sets of action for the Challengers (11-6), who have won five of their last six matches.